Boris Johnson described the the sexist attacks on Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner as “misogynistic tripe”.
The Prime Minister promised to "unleash the terrors of the earth" on any Conservative MP found to have claimed that Rayner crosses and uncrosses her legs in the Commons chamber to distract him while he is speaking.
Asked whether there was a cultural problem in Parliament, Johnson told reporters in Bury: “It’s hard to say on the basis of that particular story.
“But I have to say I thought it was the most appalling load of sexist, misogynist tripe.
“I immediately got in touch with Angela and we had a very friendly exchange.”
In a King Lear reference, he threatened to unleash “the terrors of the earth” on the source behind the comments if they were ever identified.
He said: “If we ever find who is responsible for it, I don’t know what we will do, but they will be the terrors of the earth.
“It’s totally intolerable, that kind of thing.”
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said that Johnson had contacted Rayner directly regarding the reported comments by an unnamed Tory MP.
“Those comments are unacceptable,” the spokesman said.
“He contacted Angela Rayner direct. The Prime Minster deplores the misogyny directed at her. There is no place for those kinds of attitudes.
“We recognise that there is more work to do and the Prime Minister would support that. There is no place for misogyny in Parliament.
“The Prime Minister wants to do everything possible not just to support women already working in politics but to encourage more.”
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